Semina Culture, at the Santa Monica Museum of Art until November 26th, (and then touring nationwide), features Wallace Berman, the exceptional beat artist, a documentarian, agit prop articulator and photographer of some ill repute. Berman is regarded by many as the father of California assemblage movement. Semina Culture comprises in part, his original works, and a joyous photographic cavalcade of the acolytes of the world of Wallace. Believe me when I say, Wallace Berman had more famous friends than Joe Ambrose and that's saying something.

Born in Staten Island, New York. Berman's family moved to Los Angeles in the 30s. He was booted from High School for gambling. He dropped out of art school soon after enrolling and that probably saved him and us. God only knows how different the world might look had he endured the rigors of water color artistry at the Jepson Art School, or whatever.

He found his rhythm when working at what I'll call a furniture factory, we idealize factory workers - having only ever seen them on TV - he began sculpting the scraps and junk materials, the first stirrings of what was to become an assemblage movement.

By the time the 50s rolled around, he'd become a full time artist. He began his mail art publication, SEMINA, offering poetry and images of the beat scene. He was the beat journalist of the beat generation.

Established in Topanga Canyon by the early 60s, Berman famously made use of obsolete photocopying machines to create collages with images often culled from newspapers and magazines. He drew on symbols from his childhood and beyond. He eventually made it onto the cover of Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - 2 rows behind John Lennon, next to Tony Curtis. But c'mon, if I'd been alive I would have probably made the cover too.

Semina Culture, is a tremendous, wildly entertaining show. The walls teem with timeless images, oh probably because so many kids look just as unkempt today as they did back then. In one corner Dennis Hopper had wrested the camera from Berman and turned on his suitor, capturing Berman posturing with a fantastically bad posture, leaning on a Triumph motorcycle. Oh Wallace what a man in a world of artists.

It's impossible not to love Berman, without whom this article wouldn't exist, because without him, this magazine wouldn't exist. His influence these days, is simply everywhere.

Meanwhile outside, sponsor Hangar 1 Vodka was doing all it could to ensure we enjoyed the show. They did such a good job, it should be noted, that my compatriot suggested that we shouldn't attend events like these in the future. How does SMMoA manage to always get the great sponsors? Splendid conversation overheard outside too... Bomber jacketed Silver Fox, sidling into a group of younger women, so much younger I'd thought he must be looking for his daughter... "Yes, blah(where I live) is a very diverse city, very diverse, I live within walking distance of five ethnic restaurants." I know, you're going to be shocked to discover that the girls were having none of it. What I think I heard was "Fuck off back to your Prius you South Bay Art bore."

publisher, lamontpaul is currently producing a collection of outsideleft's anti-travel stories for the SideCartel, with a downloadable mumbled word version accompanied by understated musical fabulists, the frozen plastic

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

UNDERWRITE OUTSIDELEFT with your PATRONAGE of these ART MUMBLINGS

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]